verb
- to break down a polymer into smaller molecules or monomers
Usage: chemistry; technical
Examples
- Heat can depolymerize certain plastics into their original components.
- The enzyme helps depolymerize cellulose in plant cell walls.
- Scientists are studying how to depolymerize waste materials for recycling.
- UV radiation can depolymerize some synthetic polymers over time.
- The process will depolymerize the long chain molecules into shorter fragments.
- Researchers found a way to depolymerize the plastic without harmful byproducts.